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Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2009-2010
Extended Resources-West Session #6
10/23/09 10:0am-11:00am
Lac du Flambeau Education Building
2009-2010
Extended Resources-West Session #6
10/23/09 10:0am-11:00am
Lac du Flambeau Education Building
ER-West Students: 3
LUHS Staff: Rae Lundberg and Nancy Miller
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr
There are many students out sick. One of the students here this morning ended up going home as well because of not feeling well.
With such a small group we began by sharing with one another stories of our past. Stories that were frightening, stories that were inspiring, stories about our lives that let others understand where we have been, stories that brought smiles to both our hearts and our faces. It was an important time of connecting with one another in a different way.
In the Ojibwe traditions, the time of storytelling is near. When the snows come to stay, traditionally that is the time to tell stories. Storytelling is an incredibly important part of Ojibwe history and contemporary society. There is a rich oral history within the Ojibwe culture that is still being passed down to this day. We honored that storytelling tradition as we passed on our own histories and herstories to one another today.
Next we talked about the movie, “The Bucket List.” This is a movie where two men who are dying decide to live until they die. They decide to make a list of things they want to do before they die-the bucket list. Then the two men go and do them. We discussed what was on our bucket list. There were some wonderful ideas, experiences, goals and places of travel that were shared. After everyone had a time to share we all were thankful for the opportunity to share our lives with one another.
Next meeting October 30th.
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2009-2010
Extended Resources-West Session #5
10/2/09 9:30am-1:30pm
Lac du Flambeau Education Building
ER-West Students: 3
ER-West Staff: Nancy Miller and Rae Lundberg
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr
Nancy Miller came in early to get things going for our project today. She took us through the process of making apple butter. What an interesting and intensive process. All of the students had never been a part of making anything like this before. They were all engaged, really motivated to learn about the process, and asked a number of questions about why things happened with in a certain place in the process. It was a really great learning experience and the students were able to take some of what they helped make home with them.
We hope to develop and deliver some other activities like this as we go throughout the year. We believe these skills are important to have as the students get older and begin to have the skills needed to use the resources around them to provide for themselves and their families. We will continue to develop their facilitation skills, but also hope to bring in community members who can teach other skills that they students can put to use right away.
Next meeting October 9.
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Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2009-2010
Extended Resources-West
9/25/09 9:30-10:30
Lac du Flambeau Education Building
ER-West Students: 6
ER-West Staff: Rae Lundberg and Nancy Miller
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr
Everyone arranged themselves in a circle to begin. Craig welcomed everyone and thanked them for letting him be a part of their classroom. We began by writing R-E-S-P-E-C-T on our papers. Then, we had to come up with words or phrases that included one of these letters to describe respect. It seems like an easy task, but if you are willing give it a try at home. (Send me a copy if you would like. If you are willing I will post it in next week’s weekly update. If you are not, but would like to share it anyway, that would be great too!) One student said that it would be easier to write words that are the opposite of respect. We had a discussion on how it is easier to think of the negative rather than the positive. Some of the students shared the words or phrases they wrote, and they were very good and thoughtful.
Next Craig asked 4 different but similar questions: 1) How do you show respect? 2) How do others show you respect? 3) How do you earn respect? 4) How do others earn your respect? After each question was asked, the students wrote answers on sticky notes and posted them on the board. This allowed the students to have some movement with their learning. All of the answers were based on: listening, being kind, being trustworthy, having a positive attitude, and being understanding. We had a conversation about the difference between what the media shows about how to get respect through violence and being mean or disrespectful and what the students wrote on the board. It was a good conversation about the true meaning of respect.
Next meeting October 2
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2009-2010
Extended Resources-West #3
9/18/09 9:30-10:30
Lac du Flambeau Education Building
ER-West Students: 5
ER-West Staff: Rae Lundberg and Nancy Miller
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr
Today we focused on getting ready for the upcoming 4th and 5th grade sessions. The students are excited about the opportunity to be a part of the sessions. We did a number of activities today that helped the students get to know one another in a manner that allows them to share in a way that is safe and not awkward. One of the activities we did today involved us lining up in order of our birthdays and we were not able to talk while doing it. They did a really great job and really fast. We learned everyone’s birthday and found out that two students had the same birthday. These students did not know it and one of the students said that they were happy that they finally had someone who had the same birthday as them. This student shared that during school no one ever had the same birthday as them. We began to talk about how the activities allow us to learn about each other in a way that is not awkward. Craig asked, “What if you just went up and asked someone when their birthday was?” The students looked at him with faces that expressed that it would be weird. One of the students said it would be weird and it would be like “you’re a stalker.” Everyone laughed and we talked about the importance of getting to know one another.
We also talked about the importance of communicating with one another. We did an activity where the students had to explain to a partner how to draw a picture they had on their paper. The partner could not look and it was a great activity! There was a lot of giggling and clarifying questions. Through this activity we were able to talk about the importance of being able to communicate and ask questions. We talked about how conflict almost always comes from misunderstanding or miscommunication. They did a great job and the student who was on the sidelines last week, participated in this activity. Little steps!
Craig and Nancy talked about the importance of the students interactions with the younger students and how they will look up to them at the sessions. We will meet one more time before the 4th grade sessions.
Next meeting 9/25/09
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2009-2010
Extended Resources-West
9/11/09 9:30-10:30
Lac du Flambeau Education Building
ER-West Students: 7
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr
LUHS Staff: Phil Burley
Craig welcomed everyone and explained to the students that today we were going to do some activities that we would do with the younger students to help them get to know one another and have some fun.
We did a series of activities that engaged the students and helped them to get to know one another. It also allows the students who often have to be tough to survive to be able to “play.” It may not seem important, but research shows the importance of play is valuable in developing a well adjusted life. [1]
As we talked about the activities we were doing the students were very insightful with why we were doing the activity and what they were learning about each other. Through these activites these students understood each other in a whole new light, and it was good.
One student who related that they did not want to participate (We run our programs with the choice to participate or not. However, if you chose not to, it is not acceptable to distract those who chose to participate. This student abided this expectation.) sat very close to our group and worked really hard at appearing not to be paying attention. However, this student heard every word and was intently paying attention. I hope that eventually this student will feel safe enough with themselves and the others in the group to step out of their comfort zone to join. This student is still is benefiting from the activities as they listen and participate in a way that they feel comfortable. Craig asked this student a few times if they would like to join. They declined. Craig accepted and went on. He wanted to let the student know that they were important and was welcome.
All of our students are at different places and we hope to engage them in meaningful educational experiences that meet them were they are.
Next session 9/18/09
[1] Stuart Brown (2009) Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/specialinterests/family/2009/play.html
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr
LUHS Staff: Phil Burley
Craig welcomed everyone and explained to the students that today we were going to do some activities that we would do with the younger students to help them get to know one another and have some fun.
We did a series of activities that engaged the students and helped them to get to know one another. It also allows the students who often have to be tough to survive to be able to “play.” It may not seem important, but research shows the importance of play is valuable in developing a well adjusted life. [1]
As we talked about the activities we were doing the students were very insightful with why we were doing the activity and what they were learning about each other. Through these activites these students understood each other in a whole new light, and it was good.
One student who related that they did not want to participate (We run our programs with the choice to participate or not. However, if you chose not to, it is not acceptable to distract those who chose to participate. This student abided this expectation.) sat very close to our group and worked really hard at appearing not to be paying attention. However, this student heard every word and was intently paying attention. I hope that eventually this student will feel safe enough with themselves and the others in the group to step out of their comfort zone to join. This student is still is benefiting from the activities as they listen and participate in a way that they feel comfortable. Craig asked this student a few times if they would like to join. They declined. Craig accepted and went on. He wanted to let the student know that they were important and was welcome.
All of our students are at different places and we hope to engage them in meaningful educational experiences that meet them were they are.
Next session 9/18/09
[1] Stuart Brown (2009) Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/specialinterests/family/2009/play.html
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2009-2010
Extended Resources-West
9-4-09 9:30-10:30
LdF Education Building
ER-West Students: 7
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr
ER-West Staff: Rae Lundberg and Nancy Miller
Today was our first session at ER-West and alternative school located in Lac du Flambeau. Craig began by welcoming everyone to a new school year and talking a little about his hopes for the new year. He explained that he hoped to do some more work on the walls of the classroom by brining in local artists to help them design both traditional and contemporary designs. He also explained to them the hope he had that several of the students would be involved as mentor/facilitators with the ILI students.
After the introduction we began the activities. We began with “Two Truths and a not so True.” This activity is a great and fun way to begin to get to know others. The students list 3 things on piece of paper. Two things that are true and one that is not. They read their list and the other students have to guess which one is not true. The students really enjoyed it and also learned a lot about each other through this activity. One student commented on another’s answer, “You never shot a deer?” Things that we take for granted come up and we can learn a lot about one another in simple ways.
We continued through some other activities that helped the students share about themselves and get to know one another in a way that is safe and fun. When we were finished the students were thankful for the activities and for getting to know one another in such a fun way. A number of students are looking forward to helping with the ILI sessions at the end of September and early October. We are looking forward to them helping as well.
Next session 9/11/09